Our month of career research is coming to an end, and none too soon for me! I'm ready for lighter, funner topics. But, in the meantime, we have two more posts to get through.
Do you read the genre books you write?
How often? Do you always enjoy them? What do you do when you pick one up and it doesn't excite you at all?
I hate to think of any book as "homework," but we need to read many books in the genre we are writing in.
When you read four or five books in the same genre, you get a feel for the length, the pace, plot points, characters, and the tone. If you continue to read your genre regularly, you'll also get an idea of what themes are oversaturated.
It's vital to read current books. Why? Fifteen years ago, writing styles were different. You may have fallen in love with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, but publishers might not be willing to take the risk on such long books now, especially by a new author. (The exception is if you're Diana Gabaldon, of course!)
Another reason to read a variety of books in your genre is to verify your book does indeed work for that market. If you're writing for any of the Harlequin category imprints, check the eHarlequin site often for their guidelines. Listen to the editor podcasts. It's vital to understand what editors want for the line you're targeting.
The best reason to read in the genre you write is because you love it. Trust me, the love will come across in your writing. Let's say you write an urban fantasy on a lark, but you've only ever read one urban fantasy in your life (you love to read political thrillers). Let's also say your book is genius, and a publisher quickly snatches it up. You're thrilled; however, you don't really want to write another urban fantasy because you want to write a political thriller; after all, that's what you love to read.
A publisher would not be happy to take a chance on a new author only to find out the author plans on writing future books in a completely different genre. When a new author builds an audience, the audience wants similar books to the one they initially fell in love with. Don't expect an audience to follow you from genre to genre unless you're on bestseller's lists, and even then, they might not. Do you think Stephenie Meyer fans wanted to read a warm, women's fiction after reading Twilight? No, they wanted more--much more--Twilight.
What do you think? Do you think it's important to read the genre books you write? I'd love to hear your genre, and don't be shy, throw in a favorite author, too!
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss online writing classes.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Publishing Industry Periodicals
Do you follow news about the publishing industry? Maybe a snippet comes to you here or there, or maybe you subscribe to a pile of publications. Whether I'm actively looking for it or not, publishing news tends to find me.
I get much of my information from fellow writers. However, I also make a point to read magazines, blogs, and websites that focus on the industry. My favorite publications are RWR (the monthly magazine RWA publishes), and Romantic Times BOOKReview. Both keep me up to date in the romance novel industry. In addition to great interviews and articles, RT BOOKReview gives reviews for the month's fiction releases in the following genres: romance, mystery, paranormal, erotica, mainstream, inspirational, urban fantasy, and science fiction.
For the larger picture, I like the website Publishers Lunch. It's a free, daily update of what's happening in publishing. For a fee, you can subscribe to its host, the in-depth site, Publishers Marketplace.
A few other great publications are Writer's Digest, The Writer, and Poets & Writers. No, I don't read all of these magazines every month, but I do check them out occasionally.
On an offbeat note, I also rely on Entertainment Weekly. It rarely, if ever, reviews romances, but it still offers several book reviews along with the fiction and non-fiction top ten charts for the week. Valuable, in my opinion. And about once a month Stephen King writes a column. You can count on it to be thoughtful, sometimes funny, and always entertaining.
What are your favorite industry resources?
Have a wonderful weekend!
I get much of my information from fellow writers. However, I also make a point to read magazines, blogs, and websites that focus on the industry. My favorite publications are RWR (the monthly magazine RWA publishes), and Romantic Times BOOKReview. Both keep me up to date in the romance novel industry. In addition to great interviews and articles, RT BOOKReview gives reviews for the month's fiction releases in the following genres: romance, mystery, paranormal, erotica, mainstream, inspirational, urban fantasy, and science fiction.
For the larger picture, I like the website Publishers Lunch. It's a free, daily update of what's happening in publishing. For a fee, you can subscribe to its host, the in-depth site, Publishers Marketplace.
A few other great publications are Writer's Digest, The Writer, and Poets & Writers. No, I don't read all of these magazines every month, but I do check them out occasionally.
On an offbeat note, I also rely on Entertainment Weekly. It rarely, if ever, reviews romances, but it still offers several book reviews along with the fiction and non-fiction top ten charts for the week. Valuable, in my opinion. And about once a month Stephen King writes a column. You can count on it to be thoughtful, sometimes funny, and always entertaining.
What are your favorite industry resources?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Writing Organizations
Writing organizations: useful or useless?
100% useful!
Photo by mukluk
I love the organizations I belong to: Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. Both offer tremendous resources for any writer. Each has a website filled with fantastic information for their members. There are online critique groups, writer loops, and they also have local chapters if you're lucky enough to live near one. Each hosts a national conference for members and sponsors prestigious writing contests for unpublished and published authors.
RWA also publishes a monthly magazine, Romance Writers Report, packed with helpful articles.
I've been blessed to live within driving distance to the local RWA chapter, Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America. You wouldn't believe the information about the publishing industry and writing in general that I've learned from other members. It's a boon to discuss queries and realize nailing the book's genre really is important. Or to attend a meeting and learn tips on a variety of topics like networking, writing the dreaded synopsis, promotion, and so forth. These reasons alone make it worthwhile.
I also appreciate the availability of a variety of affordable online workshops given by other RWA chapters. Many chapters host contests, and some even host small conferences.
However, what I most love about MVRWA is also what I love about blogging. I've made wonderful friends. Friends who understand the ups and downs of writing. Friends who support me whether I have good news or bad. Friends who share what they've learned, not because they have to, but because they're kind.
If a writing organization has a local chapter near you, give it a try. You don't have to write romance to belong to RWA.
I also wanted to welcome and thank all of the new followers. I'm looking forward to hearing your comments!
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss staying on top of industry news.
100% useful!
Photo by mukluk
I love the organizations I belong to: Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. Both offer tremendous resources for any writer. Each has a website filled with fantastic information for their members. There are online critique groups, writer loops, and they also have local chapters if you're lucky enough to live near one. Each hosts a national conference for members and sponsors prestigious writing contests for unpublished and published authors.
RWA also publishes a monthly magazine, Romance Writers Report, packed with helpful articles.
I've been blessed to live within driving distance to the local RWA chapter, Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America. You wouldn't believe the information about the publishing industry and writing in general that I've learned from other members. It's a boon to discuss queries and realize nailing the book's genre really is important. Or to attend a meeting and learn tips on a variety of topics like networking, writing the dreaded synopsis, promotion, and so forth. These reasons alone make it worthwhile.
I also appreciate the availability of a variety of affordable online workshops given by other RWA chapters. Many chapters host contests, and some even host small conferences.
However, what I most love about MVRWA is also what I love about blogging. I've made wonderful friends. Friends who understand the ups and downs of writing. Friends who support me whether I have good news or bad. Friends who share what they've learned, not because they have to, but because they're kind.
If a writing organization has a local chapter near you, give it a try. You don't have to write romance to belong to RWA.
I also wanted to welcome and thank all of the new followers. I'm looking forward to hearing your comments!
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss staying on top of industry news.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Internet Search Your Author Name
No matter what stage of writing you're at, it's a good idea to periodically do an Internet search of your author name.
By author name, I mean the name you plan to publish, or do publish, your books under. It could be your real name or it could be a pen name. Either way, enter it in a search engine to see what comes up.
You'll typically find one of the following:
- Nothing relevant to the name
- A slew of references to someone else by that name
- Incorrect information about you
- Sites offering illegal downloads of your book if you're published
- Tons of legitimate references to you, the author
Performing and Internet search of your author name is valuable for several reasons.
1. You'll know exactly what other people, including agents and editors, see when they type in your name. If nothing shows up and you're actively querying, maybe you should consider building a web presence.
2. You'll know if your pen name, which you slaved over but haven't registered the domain name for, is already in use by someone else. You may want to consider using a different name.
3. If you're published, you can issue a cease and desist order to any sites illegally offering downloads your books.
4. If you've been working hard at building a web presence, you'll know your efforts are paying off when page after page of references to you, the author, appear.
Agents and editors do perform Internet searches on authors who submit to them. I hope I don't sound like a broken record, but I am convinced authors shouldn't wait until they get published to start a blog, website, or join online social networks.
Yes, every agent and editor will tell unpublished authors to focus on their craft before worrying about a web presence, but the facts show it takes a long time (a couple of years) for most people to build an average web presence. Authors who are submitting should be simultaneously building their platform.
Get your craft to the highest level, but also work on your web presence so you'll have an audience to promote your book to when you get published.
Every few months, do an Internet search of your author name. You might be surprised what shows up.
Join me on Wednesday when we'll talk about writing organizations and how they can help you.
By author name, I mean the name you plan to publish, or do publish, your books under. It could be your real name or it could be a pen name. Either way, enter it in a search engine to see what comes up.
You'll typically find one of the following:
- Nothing relevant to the name
- A slew of references to someone else by that name
- Incorrect information about you
- Sites offering illegal downloads of your book if you're published
- Tons of legitimate references to you, the author
Performing and Internet search of your author name is valuable for several reasons.
1. You'll know exactly what other people, including agents and editors, see when they type in your name. If nothing shows up and you're actively querying, maybe you should consider building a web presence.
2. You'll know if your pen name, which you slaved over but haven't registered the domain name for, is already in use by someone else. You may want to consider using a different name.
3. If you're published, you can issue a cease and desist order to any sites illegally offering downloads your books.
4. If you've been working hard at building a web presence, you'll know your efforts are paying off when page after page of references to you, the author, appear.
Agents and editors do perform Internet searches on authors who submit to them. I hope I don't sound like a broken record, but I am convinced authors shouldn't wait until they get published to start a blog, website, or join online social networks.
Yes, every agent and editor will tell unpublished authors to focus on their craft before worrying about a web presence, but the facts show it takes a long time (a couple of years) for most people to build an average web presence. Authors who are submitting should be simultaneously building their platform.
Get your craft to the highest level, but also work on your web presence so you'll have an audience to promote your book to when you get published.
Every few months, do an Internet search of your author name. You might be surprised what shows up.
Join me on Wednesday when we'll talk about writing organizations and how they can help you.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Author Websites
Don't click away! I know the term "author websites" is scary, scary, scary!
I used to get wobbly knees, icy fingers, and a bad case of the shakes at the thought of setting up an author website.
What is it about websites that terrify us so? I don't know about you, but I felt completely inadequate. I couldn't even figure out how to research various ways of obtaining a website without getting nauseous.
I've written on this topic before. You can check out my article Five Things to Consider Before You Design Your Website for information on getting prepared to have your own site.
For those of you who are interested in designing your own custom website using a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) design program, I've written a Basic Website Design Guide. All of my articles are available at my website http://www.jillkemerer.com/. They are also linked in the sidebar of my blog for easy access.
Every day, more website templates crop up, so writers don't even have to customize to have a professional looking site. I, however, wanted complete control over the colors, the layout, and the pictures in mine, so I learned the basics.
My biggest fear was that I'd design a site and it would end up looking cheesy and unprofessional. My first website design was very simple. It had a Home page, a Biography page, a link to my blog, and a Contact button for anyone to e-mail me. About six months after I published the site, I decided it could look better. I changed the background and the layout and I added a few more web pages.
Why am I telling you this? Because I don't want you to feel your site has to be perfect, especially if you aren't published yet. You can tweak it and upgrade it as you learn more. I would never recommend anyone putting up a sloppy, unusable site, but I think many authors are so intimidated about having a great site, they don't have any site.
Please keep in mind that editors expect published authors to have a website. It's a terrific promotion tool. It's okay to have a free, template-style website as an unpublished author, but when you get "the call" your editor will probably suggest you get a professional site. I can think of a few reasons for this: many free websites do not utilize a http://www.com/ domain name, and many free websites do not have a function for readers to e-mail and contact the author.
If you're the do-it-yourself type on a tight budget, hold off on spending big bucks to hire a professional website designer. Ask your editor or agent for examples of author sites they feel are appropriate. Spend time planning your site based on their suggestions. Study the layout, content, and appropriate web pages.
Build your own custom website using a web-hosting service such as Yahoo! Web-Hosting or GoDaddy. They offer easy to use design programs. Beware of less prominent web-hosting sites. Their design programs can be difficult to use. You can also purchase design programs, but they are expensive.
If you set up a site and your editor is still not loving it, or maybe you feel updating it is too time-intensive, you may have to pay a professional. If this happens, don't consider the effort of designing your own site wasted. You have to determine a clear vision for your website whether you design it or someone else does. Why not do it now?
Have a wonderful weekend!
I used to get wobbly knees, icy fingers, and a bad case of the shakes at the thought of setting up an author website.
What is it about websites that terrify us so? I don't know about you, but I felt completely inadequate. I couldn't even figure out how to research various ways of obtaining a website without getting nauseous.
I've written on this topic before. You can check out my article Five Things to Consider Before You Design Your Website for information on getting prepared to have your own site.
For those of you who are interested in designing your own custom website using a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) design program, I've written a Basic Website Design Guide. All of my articles are available at my website http://www.jillkemerer.com/. They are also linked in the sidebar of my blog for easy access.
Every day, more website templates crop up, so writers don't even have to customize to have a professional looking site. I, however, wanted complete control over the colors, the layout, and the pictures in mine, so I learned the basics.
My biggest fear was that I'd design a site and it would end up looking cheesy and unprofessional. My first website design was very simple. It had a Home page, a Biography page, a link to my blog, and a Contact button for anyone to e-mail me. About six months after I published the site, I decided it could look better. I changed the background and the layout and I added a few more web pages.
Why am I telling you this? Because I don't want you to feel your site has to be perfect, especially if you aren't published yet. You can tweak it and upgrade it as you learn more. I would never recommend anyone putting up a sloppy, unusable site, but I think many authors are so intimidated about having a great site, they don't have any site.
Please keep in mind that editors expect published authors to have a website. It's a terrific promotion tool. It's okay to have a free, template-style website as an unpublished author, but when you get "the call" your editor will probably suggest you get a professional site. I can think of a few reasons for this: many free websites do not utilize a http://www.com/ domain name, and many free websites do not have a function for readers to e-mail and contact the author.
If you're the do-it-yourself type on a tight budget, hold off on spending big bucks to hire a professional website designer. Ask your editor or agent for examples of author sites they feel are appropriate. Spend time planning your site based on their suggestions. Study the layout, content, and appropriate web pages.
Build your own custom website using a web-hosting service such as Yahoo! Web-Hosting or GoDaddy. They offer easy to use design programs. Beware of less prominent web-hosting sites. Their design programs can be difficult to use. You can also purchase design programs, but they are expensive.
If you set up a site and your editor is still not loving it, or maybe you feel updating it is too time-intensive, you may have to pay a professional. If this happens, don't consider the effort of designing your own site wasted. You have to determine a clear vision for your website whether you design it or someone else does. Why not do it now?
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Publishing Trends
I love talking to writers. I mean, I L-O-V-E sitting back and having a conversation with anyone who writes. Unless they're residing in a nuclear bomb shelter, most writers are aware of the current trends in publishing, but, much like the rest of the general public, we have no clue what the future holds.
Since it takes a long time to write a book, it occasionally happens that the market for the book has either cooled or is beginning to cool by the time an editor sees a query for it. What's an author to do?
Well, I think most authors are pretty savvy. They see what books and genres are successful and try to emulate them. Unfortunately, the books in stores reflect last year's trends. It's difficult to know if a genre's popularity has peaked.
If I walked into Target or Walmart today, I'd conclude that the historical romance market is hot--if the only historical period is Regency England. I'd also conclude that vampire romance is hot, that James Patterson releases a new book every other week, and that books about vitamins are in ever-present demand.
Five years ago, I could have walked into the same Target or Walmart and seen romances set in the American West. I might have seen a few historical romances with Vikings. There would have been a slew of contemporary romances, many tongue-in-cheek like Bridget Jones' Diary.
This is where following agents can help an author. Agents who blog often post about what kind of books they would love to see right now. This is your cue to write the information down. Does it mean you have to write a gritty suspense set in Alaska? No. But it might make you tweak the idea for your next novel to fit into a genre agents are looking for.
If you cannot fathom writing anything other than your heart dictates, by all means, write the story. But if the book falls into a lukewarm genre, be prepared to polish it extra shiny, and even then you may end up sitting on it until the trend turns back around.
I don't think writers should chase trends in a desperate attempt to get published. We should nurture our strengths and write books we're best suited to write. However, we shouldn't be afraid of trying something different and expanding our creative wings either. Why make life harder on ourselves by writing books that sold well five years ago but aren't selling at all now, when we could be writing a different genre, a genre that sells, until the climate shifts. Don't give up on your favorite genre, though. Today's ice-cold category is tomorrow's hot trend.
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss author websites.
Since it takes a long time to write a book, it occasionally happens that the market for the book has either cooled or is beginning to cool by the time an editor sees a query for it. What's an author to do?
Well, I think most authors are pretty savvy. They see what books and genres are successful and try to emulate them. Unfortunately, the books in stores reflect last year's trends. It's difficult to know if a genre's popularity has peaked.
If I walked into Target or Walmart today, I'd conclude that the historical romance market is hot--if the only historical period is Regency England. I'd also conclude that vampire romance is hot, that James Patterson releases a new book every other week, and that books about vitamins are in ever-present demand.
Five years ago, I could have walked into the same Target or Walmart and seen romances set in the American West. I might have seen a few historical romances with Vikings. There would have been a slew of contemporary romances, many tongue-in-cheek like Bridget Jones' Diary.
This is where following agents can help an author. Agents who blog often post about what kind of books they would love to see right now. This is your cue to write the information down. Does it mean you have to write a gritty suspense set in Alaska? No. But it might make you tweak the idea for your next novel to fit into a genre agents are looking for.
If you cannot fathom writing anything other than your heart dictates, by all means, write the story. But if the book falls into a lukewarm genre, be prepared to polish it extra shiny, and even then you may end up sitting on it until the trend turns back around.
I don't think writers should chase trends in a desperate attempt to get published. We should nurture our strengths and write books we're best suited to write. However, we shouldn't be afraid of trying something different and expanding our creative wings either. Why make life harder on ourselves by writing books that sold well five years ago but aren't selling at all now, when we could be writing a different genre, a genre that sells, until the climate shifts. Don't give up on your favorite genre, though. Today's ice-cold category is tomorrow's hot trend.
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss author websites.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Can't Contain My Excitement!
I don't normally post on Tuesday, but I had to today--HAD TO!!
My friends shared wonderful news yesterday, and I'm bursting to share it too!
Jody Hedlund, awesome blogger and a really cool, funny, interesting lady, just signed her very first book contract!!! I'm not even the one who got the contract and I can't stop grinning! Jody, if you're reading this, I'm jumping up and down with giddiness!!
And Cindy R. Wilson, awesome blogger and fabulous critique partner (yeah, I'm that lucky!), won a guest post slot on agent Rachelle Gardner's blog!! This was a stiff competition. There were nearly 180 entrants! Congratulations Cindy!
Guess who else won a spot on Rachelle's blog? Angie Ledbetter, awesome blogger and amazing cook (she puts recipes on her blog--yum, yum!)! Congratulations Angie!!
I couldn't leave out a runner up in the contest, T. Anne, awesome blogger and talented lady!! Woo-hoo!!
I was blessed to have Chris Roerden, author of Don't Sabotage Your Submission: Save Your Manuscript from Turning Up D.O.A., stop by and leave great advice in yesterday's comment section. Thanks Chris!!
Isn't it lovely when a week starts out this terrific? Sighing, with a huge grin on my face...
Hope your week is just as wonderful!!
My friends shared wonderful news yesterday, and I'm bursting to share it too!
Jody Hedlund, awesome blogger and a really cool, funny, interesting lady, just signed her very first book contract!!! I'm not even the one who got the contract and I can't stop grinning! Jody, if you're reading this, I'm jumping up and down with giddiness!!
And Cindy R. Wilson, awesome blogger and fabulous critique partner (yeah, I'm that lucky!), won a guest post slot on agent Rachelle Gardner's blog!! This was a stiff competition. There were nearly 180 entrants! Congratulations Cindy!
Guess who else won a spot on Rachelle's blog? Angie Ledbetter, awesome blogger and amazing cook (she puts recipes on her blog--yum, yum!)! Congratulations Angie!!
I couldn't leave out a runner up in the contest, T. Anne, awesome blogger and talented lady!! Woo-hoo!!
I was blessed to have Chris Roerden, author of Don't Sabotage Your Submission: Save Your Manuscript from Turning Up D.O.A., stop by and leave great advice in yesterday's comment section. Thanks Chris!!
Isn't it lovely when a week starts out this terrific? Sighing, with a huge grin on my face...
Hope your week is just as wonderful!!
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